As the law passed by Congress was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, July 25 is now declared as National Campus Press Freedom Day.
Last July, a trending topic was the arrest of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa where human rights lawyer Amal Clooney mentioned that their team will “pursue all available legal remedies” in defending Maria Ressa’s rights and press freedom in the Philippines.
On Tuesday, September 10 a copy of the Republic Act No.
11440 or the National Campus Press Freedom Day Act was disclosed to the public.
Duterte signed the Act on August 28 where it entails that the protection of campus journalism is part of the role of the government in defending the“constitutionally-guaranteed right to freedom of expression, speech, and the press.
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“As part of media, the campus press is an important institution in promoting and protecting the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression,” according to the law.
In observance to National Campus Press Freedom Day, the stipulates that all educational institutions should issue “full support and assistance” to its programs and operations.
What can you say about the new law that will be celebrated every 25th of July? Share your thoughts in the comments section!
